CWD CWD Wetland Mitigation & Banking 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary goal of wetland mitigation under the Clean Water Act Section 404?
- To increase agricultural land use
- To achieve no net loss of wetland acreage and function (Correct answer)
- To reduce flooding in urban areas
- To improve water treatment efficiency
Correct answer: To achieve no net loss of wetland acreage and function
The Clean Water Act Section 404 mitigation policy aims for no net loss of wetland acreage and function.
Question 2: What is a wetland mitigation bank?
- A financial institution that funds wetland restoration
- A site where wetlands are restored or created in advance to generate credits for future impacts (Correct answer)
- A government database of all wetland locations
- A storage facility for wetland soil samples
Correct answer: A site where wetlands are restored or created in advance to generate credits for future impacts
A mitigation bank is a site where wetlands are restored, established, or enhanced in advance of anticipated impacts to generate credits sold to permit applicants.
Question 3: Which sequence represents the preferred order of mitigation under the 404(b)(1) Guidelines?
- Compensation, minimization, avoidance
- Avoidance, minimization, compensation (Correct answer)
- Minimization, avoidance, compensation
- Compensation, avoidance, minimization
Correct answer: Avoidance, minimization, compensation
The mitigation sequence under Section 404 guidelines prioritizes avoidance first, then minimization, then compensatory mitigation.
Question 4: What is an in-lieu fee (ILF) program in wetland mitigation?
- A program where applicants pay a fee instead of restoring wetlands directly (Correct answer)
- A fee charged for wetland delineation permits
- A tax on wetland property owners
- A fine for illegal wetland filling
Correct answer: A program where applicants pay a fee instead of restoring wetlands directly
An ILF program allows permittees to pay a fee to an approved organization that performs mitigation on behalf of multiple permittees.
Question 5: What ratio is typically required when creating new wetlands to compensate for impacts to high-quality natural wetlands?
- 1:1
- Less than 1:1
- 2:1 or higher (Correct answer)
- 0.5:1
Correct answer: 2:1 or higher
Higher mitigation ratios (2:1 or greater) are typically required when compensating for impacts to high-quality natural wetlands due to ecological uncertainty.
Question 6: Which federal agency administers the wetland mitigation banking program jointly with the EPA?
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Correct answer)
- National Park Service
- USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
Correct answer: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, together with the EPA, administers the mitigation banking program under the 2008 Compensatory Mitigation Rule.
CWD CWD Wetland Mitigation & Banking 1
What is the primary goal of wetland mitigation under the Clean Water Act Section 404?